Spring is finally here! Warmer weather, sunny days, flowers, and new growth are on the way! Although that’s not all that the season brings to Northern Indiana. Potholes, storms, and mud are already making their appearances. While freak accidents and unpredictable weather can’t be helped, let spring be a reminder that it may be time to bring your car in for some maintenance. 

Spring brings cross country road trips, beach days, sporting events, concerts and more. The last thing anyone wants when they’re on the road is an unexpected breakdown. Now is the perfect time to make sure you’re ready to hit the road.  

What do I need to do to be ready? 

There are many services you may need done to prepare your car for long road trips, late night cruising, or sports events with the family. The good news is, you can get all of it done, and more here at Axius Chevrolet. 

• Oil Change
• Multipoint Inspection
• Brake Inspection 
• Fluid Check
• Tire Rotation and Inspection
• Battery Testing

If the initial inspection clears, great! We can look forward to seeing you again for your next regular maintenance. However, if there is an area that isn’t up to par from our inspection we can easily schedule you back to take care of any issues that we may have noticed. There are many areas that you may not be able to notice issues until a professional takes a look, of if it is too late. 

Why are these things important?

It is extremely important to keep up with these regular maintenance items to avoid a larger issue arising in the future and creating a much more expensive repair. Ignoring oil changes, brake repairs or driving on low-tread tires can easily turn into a life-threatening situation when the weather turns or on long trips. 

If you’re not due for an oil change or tire rotation, you don’t have to have them done just because the seasons are changing, but it is a good marker to consider an inspection to make sure you are on track and are up-to-date with all services, not just oil changes. Battery testing is important after the rough winters, because you may not notice any degradation until the cold starts up again, and may find yourself stranded unexpectedly, when a quick test now would allow you time to get a new battery installed and make sure you’re prepared for many more winters to come. 

Also after a hard winter, your brakes may have been pushed to their limits and aren’t ready for a road trip or constant traveling to events, games and activities that often come with the warm months. Ignoring this can become potentially dangerous, and it is important to keep you and your family safe while on the road. Sometimes, issues do not become prevalent until it’s too late, and a quick check up is a great way to ensure the health of your vehicle moving forward. 

Why do Service At The Dealership?

There are many advantages to doing regular maintenance and having inspections done at the dealership. We always suggest you bring your car to a dealership for its brand, even if you didn’t buy from them. Here are some of the main reasons why. 

If Your Vehicle Is Still Under Warranty

The biggest reason to always choose your local certified dealership is when your vehicle is still under warranty. No matter if you have a manufacturer’s warranty or a service contract bought from your dealership, doing your own maintenance or having an unaccredited shop work on your car can easily end up in a voided warranty if any mistakes are made. If you drive a GM car, coming to Axius Chevrolet or any other GM Dealer will allow you to have peace of mind that your vehicle is in the best hands, and can continue to be covered during the remainder of your warranty term. 

If You Want Certified Techs and OEM Parts

Along the same train of thought, going to your local dealership allows you access to some of the best technicians who have expert knowledge of your specific vehicle. They also have access to the highest quality OEM parts to keep your ride all original. OEM parts are much higher quality and tend to last longer than aftermarket ones, which will negate the need to refix something as often as it would be if you went elsewhere. 

You Have Sports or Muscle Car 

For GM customers, if you have a Corvette or Camaro, it is often a great idea to always bring your ride to the dealership for maintenance and inspection. Letting something major go bad on one of these vehicles can add up quickly, and the precision engineering and high-performance of these vehicles makes it a great idea to always keep it in the best hands possible. 

You Want to Maximize Trade-In Value In the Future

At our dealership, we do take into account where and how often service was performed on your vehicle when you come in to purchase a new one. We routinely offer a higher trade-in value on a vehicle if we can see on the CarFax that all of the maintenance was on time and performed by us, because we know it has been well-maintained and will not need as many repairs before it is ready to hit the lot. 

How do I Schedule Service? 

Scheduling your service is the easiest part of the process! We do have an online scheduler if you have a specific service in mind (i.e. Oil Change, Inspection, Brakes etc.). You can also call our service department at (574) 821-7121 anytime during our business hours and schedule service over the phone. If you’re local, stopping in and talking to our service advisor is also an easy way to get on the schedule, and if you have any specific concerns you can bring them up here and make sure they are noted for the inspection. 

In Summary

Use the weather changes as signals to do routine maintenance, just like you might do at home with spring cleaning or testing your smoke alarms. It is not a “you have to do it now because it is spring,” but just use these times as reminders to do a regular checkup. This habit will keep your car working properly, safe and retain more of its value down the line. 

If you’re ready to get your ride ready for its next season, come see us at Axius Chevrolet in Middlebury, IN. 

209 North Main Street, Middlebury, IN 46540

FAQs

Q: Is doing service at a dealership required?

A: It is not ‘required’ but if you want to keep your warranty from being voided and want the best possible service, it is highly suggested. 

Q: How long does an inspection take?

A: A typical inspection takes around an hour.

Q: How much does service cost?

A: Service costs range per service, but it is always important to ask our team and we will quote any work before we actually start doing any work. 

Schedule Your Service Here: Schedule Service